主观意图对商标混淆可能性判定的作用与适用

A Research on the Impact of Subjective Intent in Judging the Likelihood of Trademark Confusion and Relevant Application Rules

商标侵权的判定标准是混淆可能性,主观意图并非商标侵权的必要条件。本文针对我国司法实践关于主观意图的作用的理解偏差,研究主观意图对商标混淆可能性判定的作用及其适用规则。主观意图虽然影响商标混淆可能性的判定,但它仅仅是判定商标混淆可能性的参考因素,这与以主观过错为要件的一般侵权行为的构成明显不同。主观意图包括混淆意图和善意意图。混淆意图可以从被告主观知道与商标的近似、原告与被告的业务联系、侵权警告后的持续使用、注册拒绝后的持续使用进行判定。善意意图可以从商标近似的合理解释、自由竞争的意图、滑稽模仿的意图进行判定。商标检索与法律咨询对主观意图的证明效力,应结合案件的其他事实综合判定。

The standard for judging trademark confusion is the likelihood of confusion, subjective intent is not the essential requirement for judging trademark infringement. The paper studies the impact of subjective intent in judging the likelihood of trademark confusion and the relevant application rules, to address the comprehending deviation regarding the impact of subjective intent among Chinese practitioners. Although subjective intent may impact the judgement of trademark confusion, it is only a factor for reference, which is clearly di fferent from ordinary infringement behavior, which takes subjective fault as a major legal requirement. Subjective intent includes confusing intent and bona fide intent. Confusing intent may be judged by the proof of knowledge and trademark similarity, the business relationship between plainti ff and defendant, the continuous use after trademark infringement warning, and the continuous use after trademark registration rejection. The bona fide intent may be judged by reasonable explanation of trademark similarity, the intent of free competition and the intent of parody. The probative e ffectiveness of trademark retrieval and legal consultation for subjective intent should be judged in combination with other facts of speci fic cases.